What is a perm? Everything you need to know

What types of perms are there?

Perms today are a far cry from what they used to be like back in the 80’s, and today we are able to choose loose surfer waves instead of the tight curls of the past. It all depends on the size of the rods we use. The bigger the rod, the looser the waves or curls; whereas the smaller the rod, the tighter the curls will be.
There are several methods for doing perms. One of the most novel is the perm using rollers. This technique does not use chemicals to make the curls, instead silicone rollers and pliable bodies are used. A less aggressive is formula is used to set our hair than was used traditionally, which is left on for about 15 minutes.
The partial perm is another method, which only forms waves or curls in part of our hair, such as the from middle to the ends.

What is a hair perm?

Looking back a little in history, perms basically consist of a treatment to curl hair, which came about slightly in the early 1900’s. Although there has been much technological progress over the last century, the treatment still uses rods and a chemical formula to set the waves or curls to last longer.
The product is applied to the hair. It opens up the cuticle and penetrates the inside to change the natural structure of the hair fibre. To get the ringlet look, different sized rollers (depending on hair type and the required result) are used. The diameter of the rollers varies accordingly.
For people with fine, straight or lank hair, it is a good option to give more flow, texture and volume to your hair, and consequently to give the appearance of having more hair.

How to keep your perm looking perfect

We need to bear in mind that a perm is a chemical process that can weaken your hair quite a lot and make hair fibres more sensitive. It will therefore be dryer and more brittle. It is therefore very important to use a lot of hydrating, nourishing and repairing products after having a perm, and protectors. However, it does not damage your hair any more than other techniques.

As is the case of any chemical hair treatment, your hair is treated with mildly aggressive products, and therefore looking after it properly afterwards is essential. We recommend using a sulphate-free, balanced pH shampoo, followed by a nourishing conditioner to close the cuticle and avoid further damage. Using a repairing treatment is also highly recommended, such as a hair mask to reverse the damage.

If you have dyed hair, highlights or a have had keratin treatment, you should ask a professional hairdresser for advice, since your hair is likely to be very dry or damaged after the previous chemical treatment.

How long do perms last?

Permed hair usually lasts somewhere between three and four months. After that, you will start to notice growth of your normal hair from the roots. The permanent curls or waves will gradually be lower down and less pronounced as your hair grows. It all depends on how strong the perm was and your hair type. 
In any event, with an appropriate hair care routine, you will be able to keep your curls for longer. Follow your hairdresser's instructions to look after the finished perm, to keep it healthy and looking good after the treatment.